the hearing was opened with an emotional plea by former representative gabrielle giffords. >> violence is a big problem. too many children are dying. too many children. we must do something. >> giffords attended the hearing with husband astronaut mark kelly who also spoke. the former congresswoman has become a public advocate for gun control after being severely injured in a shooting at a campaign event more than two years ago in tucson, arizona. >> that was a powerful press conference. >> nra vice president wayne lapierre also spoke saying that because of their children safety program, fatal firearm accidents are at the lowest level in more than 100 years. he said the government should not dictate what people can lawfully own and use to protect our families. >>> meantime, happening right now, pro gun activists holding a rally in san francisco speaking out. the group claims anti-gun legislation won't have any effect on crime rates. today's rally a precursor to the national day of resistant that is a series of pro-gun rallies taking place on february 23rd. >>> san francisco police are i